Before Aladdin was released in November 1992, I wasn’t a huge Disney kid. In fact, to this day I have yet to see The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast (I can hear your collective gasps right now), but there was something about Aladdin that changed things for me.

Back then, I wasn’t aware of what that something was, but as I got older it became more obvious.

On its surface, Aladdin was colorful, funny, smart, and full of pop culture references (something that no animated films were doing at the time, let alone Disney animated films). But beneath all of that, something much more substantial was present. For me, Aladdin was an epiphany, a revelation that creative people could actually make a living making cool shit.

Before its release, I just assumed I’d graduate high school, then go on and graduate college and earn a degree in something I had no passion for, then get a shitty job doing something I hated/resented, and then (eventually, hopefully after a few decades of living life) die.

But Aladdin changed all of that. I can honestly say that it was because of Aladdin that I pursued art school, that I ended up in Ohio, that I have many of the friends I still cherish today, and that I now find myself in the career I’m in. Of course, I’m not the Disney animator I was positive I would be when I was 16 years old, but it’s all connected.

Up until today, I never fully appreciated what role Robin Williams played in that as well. Sure, he was just a voice talent—Disney animated films have hundreds of them—but he was the Genie incarnate, and most definitely responsible for much of the film’s humor and voice.

I’m in no way a card-carrying member of The Robin Williams Fan Club (that hat is worn by my great buddy Latta… whom I met in Ohio because I moved there to become a Disney animator), but the man was most definitely one of the most gifted talents of our time. The World According to Garp. Good Morning, Vietnam. The Fisher King. Awakenings. Hook. What Dreams May Come. Dead Poets Society. Being Human. Jumanji. One Hour Photo. Toys. Mrs. Doubtfire. The Birdcage. And on, and on, and on.

But most importantly (at least for me), Aladdin.

Unlike nearly all other celebrity deaths, this one feels a bit personal because, back in 1992, Robin Williams had a creative hand in something that changed my life forever. Even if he never knew it.

The world is slightly less creative today than it was yesterday.

I usually sign off with a final thought that reads as a “sincerely” (something I admit stealing from Dwellephant), but instead I’ll leave you with these two awesome photos.

The movies, eh, I’m not that big on. But when it comes the world of theme parks, in my opinion, there is none higher.

So a little part of me freaked out with the rest of my fellow Disnerds last year when Disneyland announced it was “reworking” their It’s a Small World attraction to squeeze in a few trade characters.

Ugh, right?

Well… maybe.

First, to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of the ride. It’s a long ride with an even longer theme song, and it’s not the most thrilling fifteen minutes you’ll spend in the park. Still, I’m able to enjoy it because A) it’s one of the few rides left that Walt actually had a hand in designing, and B) I love the work of the true architect of the ride, artist Mary Blair.

But just because I’m not a huge Small World fan doesn’t mean I want some marketing morons going in and screwing it up by plastering Mickey’s face all over the place. The park already has enough of that in every nook and cranny, and it definitely doesn’t need more of it inside its rides.

I was able to ride the new version of It’s a Small World three days after it re-opened and, I have to admit, I was fearing the absolute worst. But the truth is, it’s not that bad.

Some of the new characters stick out like a sore thumb, while others are blended in so well that I had to have our friend Ryan (who works in the park) point them out to me.

So let’s go in the order that you’d see them appear on the ride. I’m pretty sure I got all of them, but my apologies if I missed a shot or two.

Alice and the White Rabbit

Not bad. Both characters are stylized enough, yet maintain a nod of acknowledgment to the overall design of the ride. Although, they were right outside of the boat. They could have been pushed back into the set a little more.

Cinderella

Great. I never would have noticed this one without Ryan. Blending in as it should.

Pinocchio

Another good example of working something in rather than forcing it in. This wasn’t as obvious as previous ones because it was higher than eye level; although, the lights around it do guide the viewer right to it.

Aladdin and Jasmine

Hanging above the boats, and done in typical Mary Blair style. If the flying carpet had been different, I never would have thought twice about this being Aladdin.

Simba and Pumba

Teetering that fine line between “fitting in” and “standing out.” It’s not perfect, but it definitely could have been worse. For example…

The Three Caballeros

…like this. Donald Duck is the only “classic” Disney character incorporated into the ride and they absolutely should have left him out. This isn’t some Small World take on Donald Duck; this is Donald Duck thrown into Small World. The most successful additions are the humans because that’s what the bulk of the ride features. Throwing a Mariachi Donald Duck into the mix is just distracting.

Ariel

I’m not sure what kind of “people” live under the sea, but who cares about that when you can throw a mermaid into the ride? After all, you can kill two birds with one stone because if you work in Ariel that means you can also easily work in…

Dori and Nemo

…Dori and Nemo. Yeah, these last two should have been left out. They’re too obvious, too much their own thing.

Lilo and Stitch

This one I’m 50/50 on. I can accept Lilo, but Stitch is a stretch. At least Hawaii is a part of Earth. Space? Not so much.

Woody and Jessie from “Toy Story”

And finally, the brand-new Tribute to America room. I also have mixed feelings on these characters because they can work as “humans” if need be, but I just can’t come to grips with the reality of a Tribute to America room! Even though I think they look pretty good, I’d be willing to lose the characters if it meant we could get rid of the new room entirely.

Jessie from “Toy Story”

Woody from “Toy Story”

And finally, I want to leave you with my favorite (and a classic) character from the original ride.

My favorite

Before the overhaul, the Tribute to America room was the Rainforest room. They managed to keep the Rainforest room–albeit a more crammed and condensed version of what it once was–and save the umbrella-holding alligator in the process. Hey, it’s not perfect by any means, but at least he’s still there.

So that’s the rundown, folks. I have to admit, it’s not as terrible as I had feared. In fact, it’s kind of cool in parts.

Just get rid of that Tribute to America room. For the love of all that is holy. Please.